About Thyroid
Context
Thyroid conditions are common health concerns that can significantly impact individuals’ work lives, affecting their health, well-being, attendance, and performance. Despite their prevalence, these conditions are often misunderstood, leaving many employees without the support they need to manage their symptoms effectively in the workplace.
Research shows that thyroid conditions, especially when yet undiagnosed, can negatively impact workers’ productivity and earnings, with women being particularly affected (Montagna and Zangelidis, 2023)3. However, workplace outcomes improve significantly when employers are informed and take a supportive approach. As Montagna and Zangelidis (2024)4highlight, employer empathy can reduce the negative impact of thyroid dysfunctions on employees’ engagement and help improve their labour market outcomes.
Employers should be aware of their legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010. A disability is defined as a “physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities.” (Equality Act, 2010). The Equality Act 2010 defines ‘substantial’ as a condition that is more than minor or trivial and ‘long-term’ is defined as a period of time longer than 12 months. In the UK, thyroid disease may be classified as a disability under anti-discrimination laws, which means employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations.